Today marks the 72nd Jayanti of Arun Jaitley, a towering and one of the finest minds to ever walk in Indian politics. A legal pundit apart from a great successful legal career served the country and the political party he was a part of to the finest. His contributions are unparalleled. Even though Atul Jaitley is not among us, still his ideas and vision guide the nation its path.
Born on December 28, 1952, in Delhi into a Punjabi Brahmin family that migrated from Lahore during Partition, Jaitley’s journey from student activism to becoming one of India’s most influential leaders is a story of relentless perseverance and commitment.
Jaitley’s academic and early political career laid the foundation for his illustrious future. A student of St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School and later Shri Ram College of Commerce, Jaitley earned his law degree from the University of Delhi in 1977. During his university years, he emerged as a leader in student politics, serving as the president of the Delhi University Students Union in 1974. His activism during the Emergency (1975-77), where he was jailed for 19 months, showcased his courage and determination. This period also cemented his association with the Jan Sangh and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Jaitley’s legal career began in 1977, and he quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest advocates in the country. Designated as a Senior Advocate in 1990, he represented high-profile clients across the political spectrum, corporate giants like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, and the Indian government in significant cases. His work on the Bofors scandal investigation and his appointment as Additional Solicitor General in 1989 underscored his legal acumen and integrity. Despite his legal success, Jaitley’s passion for public service never waned, and he transitioned to full-time politics in the 1990s.
The coming of Arun Jaitley into politics proved to be a great asset for the saffron party. He became successful in election management and helped in making crucial policies. He was made the Union Minister during the tenure in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government. As a Union Minister in the Vajpayee government, he handled portfolios like Information and Broadcasting, Disinvestment, Law and Justice, and Commerce and Industry with remarkable efficiency.
Arun Jaitley’s role as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014 further cemented his legacy as a statesman. He played a pivotal role in exposing major scams like the 2G spectrum allocation and coal block allocation, setting the stage for the BJP’s resounding victory in the 2014 general elections.
After the BJP formed a government with a resounding victory in the 2014 general elections, Arun Jaitley was chosen as the Finance Minister in the Modi government. As Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley oversaw some of India’s most transformative economic reforms. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) unified the country’s indirect tax system, a monumental achievement in modern Indian governance. His stewardship during the controversial demonetization and the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code showcased his ability to handle complex economic challenges. He came up with reforms that made a path towards transparency.
Jaitley’s contributions extended beyond economic policy. His efforts to modernize the Defence Ministry, advocate for FDI in critical sectors, and support social initiatives like decriminalizing homosexuality reflected his progressive and inclusive vision.
Jaitley’s later years were marked by health challenges, yet he continued to serve the nation with unwavering dedication. His kidney transplant in 2018 and treatment for a rare form of soft-tissue sarcoma in 2019 did not deter him from defending government policies and contributing to public discourse. On August 24, 2019, the nation lost this visionary leader, leaving a void that is difficult to fill.
Arun Jaitley will be forever reminded because of the economic reforms he came up with. He was the one who stood against the Indian Judiciary fighting them against the collegium system where the Chief Justice and the four senior Supreme Court Judge makes recommendations for appointments and transfers. This covers up transparency which Arun Jailtley was against. Arun Jaitley will also remain an inspiration for the current and the coming generation of lawyers in India who dream of making big in the legal realm. Jaitley was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan in 2020 for his immense contributions to the society.